The LIPID MAPS glycerophospholipid abbreviations (PC, PE, etc.) are used here to refer to species with one or two radyl side-chains where the structures of the side chains are indicated within parentheses in the 'Headgroup(sn1/sn2)' format (e.g. PC(16:0/18:1(9Z)). By default, R stereochemistry at the C-2 carbon of glycerol and attachment of the headgroup at the sn3 position is assumed. Also, acyl chains are assumed by default. The 'O-' prefix is used to indicate the presence of an alkyl ether substituent e.g. PC(O-16:0/18:1(9Z)), whereas the 'P-' prefix is used for the 1Z-alkenyl ether (Plasmalogen) substituent e.g. PC(P-16:0/18:1(9Z)).

For molecules with opposite (S) stereochemistry at C2 of the glycerol group and attachment of the headgroup at the sn1 position, the stereochemistry specification of [S] is appended to the abbreviation. The 'Headgroup(sn3/sn2)' abbreviation format is used.

For molecules with unknown stereochemistry at the C-2 carbon of the glycerol group, the stereochemistry specification of [U] is appended to the abbreviation and the structure is drawn with C-2 stereochemistry unspecified.